Choosing Sides – Bhagavad Gita

ayaneṣu ca sarveṣu
yathā-bhāgam avasthitāḥ
bhīṣmam evābhirakṣantu
bhavantaḥ sarva eva hi
Bhagavad-gītā 1.11
“Therefore, you must all remain in your strategically assigned positions at the entry points to the phalanx and give protection to Grandsire Bhīṣma in every respect.”
Purport:
Duryodhana said, “Bhīṣma-pitāmaha is our greatest warrior. It is our duty to protect him.”
The rule in warfare is to protect the most important soldiers. If the most important warrior is protected, then the whole cause is protected.
On one side, Duryodhana has said that Bhīṣma is very powerful and the greatest, but on the other side he is saying that all his men should together protect Bhīṣma. This shows that actually there is some fear within Duryodhana.
He was thinking, “If Bhīṣma-pitāmaha was not on our side, then we would lose the war for certain.”
Sense enjoyers always fear so many things such as thieves, and therefore they protect their possessions by building strong fortresses. They place sentries, guards and arrange so many things for their protection or the protection of their belongings, because they have no faith in God. With their own intelligence and craftiness they want to save themselves. Those in this world who are the most crafty and clever suffer the most.
Sabasē cālāka lōga haiṁ, jō sabasē adhika pīṛita haiṁ.
Duryodhana had requested Droṇācārya to create phalanxes, one after the other so that no one would be able to harm Bhīṣma-pitāmaha. He was thinking that if Bhīṣma-pitāmaha was protected, then his cause would be secure.
Overhearing the words of Duryodhana, Bhīṣma understood that he had some fear as he was moving back and forth, speaking with the different leaders in his army. Then to please Duryodhana, Bhīṣma-pitāmaha blew his conch. He thought Duryodhana would become happy by hearing the loud blowing of his conch shell. Usually, if there is any doubt or fear in the heart, one will be frightened at any slight sound. For example, if a man is sitting in his home alone while fearful of thieves or intrusions, if any sudden noise occurs, this gives him great fear. He will jump up in fright even at ordinary sounds like if someone knocks on the door, or if any stone or cup falls to the ground.
Why was Duryodhana afraid? He was a coward who never spoke truth in his life and who always performed bad activities. The fruit of any wicked action will surely come to the doer.
Why is he so fearful? Duryodhana had committed many bad acts, now the result was coming to him. Those who do not speak bad or act bad have no reason to fear anything.
tasya sañjanayan harṣaṁ
kuru-vṛddhaḥ pitāmahaḥ
siṁha-nādaṁ vinadyoccaiḥ
śaṅkhaṁ dadhmau pratāpavān
Bhagavad-gītā 1.12
“Then Grandsire Bhīṣma, the valiant elder of the Kuru dynasty, loudly blew his conch-shell making a sound like the roar of a lion and thus delighted the heart of Duryodhana.”
Pitāmaha loudly blew his conch shell to please Duryodhana. Then he gave the signal and the other warriors on the side of the Kauravas also began to sound their conch shells. Drums were beaten and many other instruments such as bugles were played.
tataḥ śaṅkhāś ca bheryaś ca
paṇavānaka-gomukhāḥ
sahasaivābhyahanyanta
sa śabdas tumulo ’bhavat
Bhagavad-gītā 1.13
“Thereafter, conch-shells, kettledrums, small drums, mṛdaṅgas, horns, trumpets and various other instruments were suddenly sounded creating a tumultuous, fearsome sound.”
Why is all this drama being performed on the battlefield? Why are all these instruments being played, as if it is a festival? What is the battle being fought here about?
This place is Dharma-ksetra. Within the prema-bhumi who will achieve pure love? Who is qualified for that? Who will obtain that rasa?
Kṛṣṇa is present here. Who will become absorbed in His all-attractive beauty? Who will develop love for Śrī Kṛṣṇa and who will fall down and become degraded. Who will remain steady and who will drown? Who is running towards mundane rasa and who is running towards transcendental rasa?
This is the fight and the test.
Before the battle began, there was thus the loud enthusiastic playing of many instruments such as bugles, drums, conch shells, etc. These instruments signaled, “Wait no longer. For so long these enjoyers have been tormenting the devoted, creating obstacles in their tasting of bhakti-rasa, causing so much disturbance while trying to take the devotees of God away from His service and engage them in the mundane service of their own enjoyment.”
As devotees were engaged in performing bhajana and bhakti while drinking bhāgavata rasa, others would come and tell them, “Come, follow my desires. Hear my instructions and follow me. Act according to my wishes, for my sense gratification.”
Now the test had come. Therefore all these instruments are resounding all around as if a great storm is forming. The questions then fill the air, “What will you do now? Which side will you take?”
tataḥ śvetair hayair yukte
mahati syandane sthitau
mādhavaḥ pāṇḍavaś caiva
divyau śaṅkhau pradadhmatuḥ
Bhagavad-gītā 1.14
“Then Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna, stationed on a great chariot drawn by white horses, blew their divine conch-shells.”
Then Kṛṣṇa told Arjuna, “Blow your own conch shell so that those who are on the side of dharma–the devotees, will not fear hearing the tumult of the demonic forces. May they not become afraid by the big talks of the opposition.”
Sometimes people will make bold announcements, “Our party is the greatest! We are good and all others are bogus rascals, cowards and filth.” When this happens should one give up on the devotees or his performance of bhakti?
On one side it is seen that the materialists have a larger gathering of followers, and on the other side the number of devotees are far fewer. Seeing the devotees, it appears they are poor and unhappy and the enjoyers are wealthy and have so many followers. They show themselves to be so happy, externally. Then which side will one take?
On one side, Bhīṣma-pitāmaha blew his conch shell and all the others played on their instruments making a tremendous sound. On the Pāṇḍavas’ side there is a smaller number of warriors. The Kauravas had many maharathis and atirathis on their side. They had many other soldiers, horses, elephants and opulent chariot fighters. Whereas the Pāṇḍavas had a small army compared to the Kauravas.
It thus appears externally that the ability of the devotees is less than that of the materialistic demons. After seeing this some may think, “I will change sides, there is no hope.” This often occurs.
For example, we are a dharma-sampradaya. There are so many other dharma-sampradayas, or religions in this world. In some it is seen that there are millions and millions, or even billions of followers, while others have very few followers. Then which side will one choose?
So that the devotees would not have any fear, Kṛṣṇa blew His conch shell named Pancajanya. By the sound of the Pancajanya, all doubts and fears in the devotees’ hearts are removed. Any evil that may have entered the devotees’ hearts is cleansed by the transcendental sound of Kṛṣṇa’s Pancajanya.
Conch shells are blown in the morning, afternoon and evening in temples for this purpose. Materialists announce many things on their loudspeakers, but devotees blow their conch shells. However far the sound of the conch travels, it makes that area pure.